Dedicated space - Update 7/21

[Mathew]

I finally took the time to make a dedicated work area for my trains. So I have officially graduated from the kitchen table to a workbench. I spent maybe 1 or 2 hours putting this together but it still needs some stuff done to it to.

[mosteam3985]

That's awesome man. It's super important to have a dedicated space for trains. I know I would be lost without my workbench.

[m a y o r 79]

I know the feeling, I'm working from the office desk most of the time (sometimes the kitchen table). Makes it really hard without a dedicated spot that doesnt need to be packed up all the time.

[Mathew]

Ive still got to put some final touchs on it. I plan on putting a smooth top on it of some sorts and fixing the back with pegboard where I can place stuff. Then work on finishing the edges. It's nice to be able to work on something without having to move it from place to place.

[Raeder]

A couple of recommendations for you:

A small fan, to blow solder smoke, glue fumes, etc away from you face.

Glass sheet, for cutting decals, tape, etc on. Perfectly flat, and can be razor blade scraped clean. No need to worry about chewing up your desktop.

I see a can of soda. A cupholder mounted above the surface would be really useful

Paper towel roll holder. Paper towels are a necessity. Having them handy to wipe up glue spills prevents sprinting across the room for them.

Power strip. run your lights and everything else (power packs, DCC, etc) through the power strip. This is good for determining if power has been left on or not. If it is on, your lights are on. If the lights are off, so is your equipment, including the soldering iron you may inadvertently leave running all night...

Just a few thoughts on things to add. I've found them to be handy, that's for sure. One other thing to do might be to check out the workbench thread that was run here a few months back. Several people chimed in with what their workbench was and what it looked like, that sort of thing. Might find some more ideas there.

Kevin

Small board, sized to your preference, but at least 3/4" thick, for drilling. Place the item you want to drill on the board, drill through it and into the board, not your desk. Keeps your desk in nicer shape. Also useful for cutting things on.

[Mathew]

Thanks Kevin, I appreciate the tips. Its still a work in progress but its good enough at this point I can work with it as is but I do plan on making it better. I was thinking there was a thread similiar to this I seen somewhere on here, I may have over looked it. The size is 2'x4' which may seem small but its about the right size for me as I only want to work on a project or two at a time. I only have the two power outlets around the table so power strips are a must for me lol. The lighting I have now is temporary until I can determine a better solution.

[Mathew]

Just a quick update. Its not much of one but I did get to add the pegboard and the shelf. Now I just need to fix the lighting situation.

[m a y o r 79]

Your makin me jealous, I need a workbench again.

[spud7378]

a space to call your own, nice job!

[Mathew]

Thanks guys. It is nice to have a place to work on stuff finally. There still some things Im working to obtain to make it a little better but its progressing. Id say I spent maybe, I'll say less than $150 for lumber. Its actually lumber from another table I made a long time ago, just cut the peices down to size and used wood screws so I can take it apart or easily replace a part if needed. I still need to come up with some pegboard hangers, a "top" so the work surface is smoother, and a light source under the shelf.